Once you have determined that an emergency situation exists and are prepared to act,
Check to see if there is any danger to you and others. Look carefully and try to determine the following:
1. Is the scene of the incident safe?
2. What happened?
3. How many victims?
4. Are those around you able to help you?
You?
As you conduct an accident scene investigation, look for anything that could jeopardize your safety and the safety of others: exposed electrical wires, falling debris, heavy traffic, fire, smoke, noxious fumes, adverse weather conditions, too deep a body of water or strong flow (Fig. 3-1). If you are in any danger, do not approach the victim. Instantly call an ambulance and the appropriate emergency services or police for professional assistance.
Never put yourself in danger, because you will become the second victim. In high-risk situations, assistance should be provided by specialist services with appropriate training and equipment.
Try to determine what happened. Pay attention to details that may provide clues to the cause of the accident and injuries. Objects, such as a piece of broken glass, a fallen stepladder, or spilled bottles of medicine, can shed light on what happened. These details are especially important if the victim is unconscious or there are no witnesses to the incident.
See if there are other victims at the scene. It's possible that you might not have noticed them at first. In case of a road traffic accident
When the car doors are open, they sometimes indicate that the second victim has left the scene. If one victim is groaning in pain or bleeding, you may not notice a second victim who is unconscious. It's easy to lose sight of a baby or small child. Always look for others who are injured and, if necessary, ask others to take part in helping them.
It is possible that people nearby will be able to tell you about what happened or help you in some way. If someone familiar with the victim is at the scene, they may be aware of the victim's medical conditions or allergies. People around you can call an ambulance, meet the car and show the way to the place, clear the scene of the incident from vehicles and inquisitive people, and help you provide first aid. When there is no one near you, loudly call for help.